The newly elected Suvendu Adhikari government in West Bengal is expected to present the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state’s Assembly next week. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed support for this move, stating that it signifies the end of “politics of appeasement” in the state. West Bengal will join other BJP-ruled states in implementing the UCC, aiming to ensure equality in citizens’ rights.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla highlighted that the UCC has already been implemented in Assam and Uttarakhand. Following these states, initiatives have been undertaken in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and now West Bengal. This move is seen as a significant step towards ending the politics of appeasement in West Bengal, according to the BJP.
West Bengal is poised to become the fourth state to introduce a Bill on the UCC. States like Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam, which are governed by the BJP, have already initiated the legislation process. Uttarakhand notably passed the UCC law in February 2024, becoming the first state in Independent India to adopt a UCC. The upcoming implementation of the UCC in West Bengal fulfills a key electoral promise made by the BJP during the election campaign.
As the Suvendu Adhikari-led government prepares to establish a committee for the UCC rollout, it underscores the BJP’s commitment to fulfilling its electoral pledges. Despite opposition attempts to impede the process, the BJP remains steadfast in its efforts to introduce the UCC. Poonawalla criticized the opposition for prioritizing vote-bank politics over women’s rights and hindering progressive measures like the UCC.
